A 10 metre stretch of the Wang Pikul subdistrict dyke was breached and could not be repaired at the moment due to the strong current and the continuing downpour.

Flooded areas were expanding and some points were under almost one metre of water.

Landslides have occurred at many locations in the northern province of Mae Hong Son. Provincial authorities used heavy equipment to clear mud and debris from roads, particularly on the Ban Pho Sor-Mae Sariang Road which is closed as the shoulder subsided.

Floodwater at the lower Rama VI Dam in Ayutthaya has risen by 10-20 cm while Ubon Ratchathani floodwater is easing.

Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra today reaffirmed that the overall flood situation in the Thai capital is not worrisome though more effort to speed up draining is needed in time of heavy downpours.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra

Speaking after inspecting water situation in central Ayutthaya province, Mr Sukhumbhand expressed confidence that Bangkok will not be flooded as large volumes of water have been discharged from the Pasak Cholasit Dam to the Pasak River via the Rama VI Dam, before flowing to the Chao Phraya River, bypassing Bangkok going to the Gulf of Thailand.

Meanwhile, water stored in the Rama VI Dam is also being released to the Raphipat canal through the Phra Narai sluice gate before reaching the eastern side of Bangkok.

Mr Sukhumbhand said that the overall flood situation is not worrisome since the volume of water being discharged from the dam was not as great as in 2011.

The Royal Irrigation Department and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have been working closely to prevent flooding, he said, explaining that the capital has the capacity to handle water running through the Chao Phraya River at 2,900 cubic metres per second. As of now, water in the Chao Phraya River is flowing at 2,300 cubic metres per second.

The governor, however, expressed concern over the city’s drainage system as the authorities still need to expedite draining water in time of heavy downpour.